Combined condiment holder



July 7, 1936. J. c. ROCH ET Al. 2,047,081

COMBNED CONDIMENT HOLDER Filed April 28, 1934 ISE Patented July 7, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINED ooNnIMEN'r nomma Joseph Conrad Roch, West Warwick, and Frederic W. Roberts, Cranston, R. I.

Our invention relates to improvements in condiment holders and by condiments we mean any type of a condiment or a seasoning for articles of food in powder, crystal or other form.

Our invention in general is an improvement. on a type of combined condiment holder shown in the application of Joseph C. Roch, S. N. 627,612, filed August 5,1932, one of the joint applicants herein and also has certain novel features of its own. While we are aware that condiment holdersv have been provided divided into compartments for each individual condiment with a movable closure member movable to a position to bring dispensing openings therein opposite an opening in one condiment compartment and seal the other compartment and vice versa, so far as we are aware these condiment holders have been made of glass or metal and the movable dispensing portions thereof and the retaining means for the container have consisted of a plurality of parts rather difficult to manufacture.

So far as we are aware we are the first to provide a condiment holder of this description in which the essential parts consist only of two pieces and in which both pieces are preferably made of molded material, such as bakelite, rubber, phenol condensation product, synthetic resins, etc. so that the article may provide an attractive whole, readily easy to fabricate or moldout of two pieces and presenting a much more attractive appearance than the former types of glass and/or metal condimentv holders of this general description.

A further object of our invention is to provide a closure member for articles of this description consisting of a straight member having two spaced perforate portions, each consisting of `a plurality of nested holes so that the `other sealing portion of the closure member will be `absolutely tight or imperforate to prohibit the entrance of moisture to the condiment. It is well.` known that salt is deliquescent and will tend to absorb alot of water thereby caking up the opening and making it impossible to dispense. Employing our construction, however, which when in a closed position is substantially air tight, it is obvious that such a result can not take place.

Further features of our invention are to provide a condiment container in'which the closure member may be moved to three positions, namely, (1) permitting the dispensing of one condiment from one compartment, (2)` permitting the dispensing of the other condiment from the other compartment and (3) shutting both compartments and to provide means to positively lock the closure member relative to the ,condiment container in at least two o1' these positions, which so far as we are aware is new in condiment containers of this description.

These and such other objects of our invention as may hereinafter appear will be best understood from a description of the accompanying drawing, which illustrates our preferred type of molded embodiment thereof.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a condiment holder constructed in accordance l0 with our invention with the movable dispensing member thereof in a position sealing both compartments.

Fig. 2 is a vertical central sectional view thereof with the closure member in a position sealing both compartments.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 of the upper portion of the condiment container with the closure member moved to a position opening the salt compartment and sealing the pepper compartment.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Figs. 2 and 4 with the closure member moved to aposition sealing the salt compartment and opening the pepper,

compartment.

Fig. 6 is a disassembled perspective view of the top of our improved condiment holder with our improved closure member removed from its channel on the top of the condiment holder and shown adjacent thereto.

In the drawing, wherein like characters of lreference indicate like parts throughout, I0 generally indicates a condiment holder constructed in accordance ,with the improved embodiment of our invention, in which the container member I2 thereof and the movable closure member I4 thereof are preferably molded out of suitable material, such as bakelite, phenol condensation product, synthetic resin, rubber, celluloid, nitro- While we have shown our condiment container y member I2 and the closure member I4 preferably constructed oi. molded plastic material, it is obvious that if desired they may be made out of glass, metal or any other suitable types of material.

In our preferred embodiment to slidably secure the closure member I4 to the container member I2 we preferably provide the longitudinal channel 26 molded directly in said container member I2 for slidably receiving the straight closure member I4 shown herein, although it is obvious that the closure member may be secured to the top of the container member in any other suitable manner insofar as certain features of our invention are concerned. The holes 28 and 38 respectively are provided in the lower portion of the channel leading to the respective salt and pepper compartments I8 and 22 as shown spaced from the center 29 of said container and each respective end wall 3I thereof. The channel 26 is preferably also provided with the grooves 32 extending laterally preferably near the base thereof in said casing top from each side of said channel 23.

The closure member I4, preferably also molded as shown in our preferred embodiment is preferably of substantially the width of said channel 26 and also preferably of greater length than said container member top and is slidably contained within said channel. To secure said closure member I4 within said channel 26, it is preferably provided with the laterally projecting ribs 34 projecting laterally from each side thereof fitting within said container member grooves 32. Said slidable closure member I4 is preferably provided with two spaced perforate dispensing portions 38 and 38. namely, the salt compartment dispensing portion 36 and the pepper compartment dispensing portion 38, the rest of the closure member being substantially solid or iinperforate as shown. Each dispensing portion 36 and 38 respectively preferably consists oi.' a plurality or nest of holes 40, which may if desired, be aligned as shown. 'I'he salt nest 36 thereof is preferably spaced from the pepper nest 38 thereof such a greater distance apart than the condiment compartment channel holes 28 and 30 respectively that movement of said closure member I4 will bring the salt perforate dispensing portion 36 over the salt compartment hole 28 for dispensing purposes with a solid or imperforate portion of the closure member I4 sealing the pepper dispensing hole 38, as shown in Fig. 4, a further movement thereof therefrom will bring the center portion of the closure member I4 substantially over the center portion of the condiment container member I2 so that solid portions of the movable closure member will substantially cover up the respective salt and pepper dispensing holes 28 and 30 as shown in Fig. 2, and a further movement thereof therefrom as shown in Fig. 5 will bring the pepper dispensing nested portion 38 in a position over the pepper dispensing hole 30 for dispensing pepper with another solid or imperforate portion of the closure member I4 completely sealing the salt dispensing hole 28.

As shown if desired the closure member I4 may be provided with the integral lip 42 projecting downwardly therefrom to provide a stop to limit the movement of the closure member I4 in one direction. The upper portion of the closure member may be provided if desired near one end thereof with specific condiment indicating insignia 44 thereon, such as the white salt dot 44 shown in Fig. 1.

As also stated hitherto we believe We are the rst to provide means to lock the Islidable member I4 relative to the container member I2 in said selected sealing or dispensing positions. While any suitable means may be provided for this purpose we preferably provide the partition I6 of the container member I2 with the central hole 46 near the upper end thereof and we mount the spring actuated plunger 48 in said hole. The expansion spring is preferably mounted in said hole 48 so as to have the lower end thereof securely imbedded in said hole and the upper end thereof securely attached to the plunger member 48 as shown. Said plunger member 48 is preferably provided with the rounded upper end 52 for a purpose to be described. The base of said closure member is preferably provided with the central hole 84 to receive the rounded upper end of the plunger to secure the closure member I4 in a mid-central position so that imperforate portions thereof will seal the respective condiment dispensing holes 28 and 30 as shown in Fig. 2. We also provide the holes 56 and 58 spaced from each side of said central hole 52 in the base of said closure member sumciently to bring the respective perforate dispensing portions 36 and 38 of said closure member alternatively over their respective compartment holes 28 and 30 with the respective imperforate portions of said closure member sealing the other respective compartments. Thus if the closure member I4 as shown in Fig. 4 is moved to the left so that the rounded end 54 will sink into the hole 56 thereof the perforate salt dispensing portion 36 thereof will be brought opposite the salt dispensing hole 28 with the rounded end 52 fitting into the hole 56 to securely lock the closure member I4 relative to the container member I2 in this position and bringing a solid or imperforate portion of the closure member in a position to seal the pepper dispensing hole 30. If, however, the closure member I4 is moved to the right from the center thereof it is obvious that the rounded end 52 of said plunger member 48 will slip into the hole 58 bringing the pepper perforate dispensing portion 38 of said closure member I4 to a position over the pepper dispensing hole 38 in the pepper compartment 22 into alignment with the perforate portion 38 in said closure member as shown in Fig. 5. The spring 58 is made relatively weak, so that on slight lateral pressure exerted on the closure member I4 due to the rounded shape of the holes 52, 54, and 56 the spring will readily be depressed to permit the plunger 48 to sink until the desired portion of the closure member is in line with the desired portions of the container member when the pressure of the spring 50 will push the plunger upwards so that the rounded end 62 thereof will lie in its respective rounded hole retaining it there until sufficient lateral pressure is again brought to bear on said slidable closure member to move it into another sealing or dispensing position. As stated hitherto, so far as we are aware means to lock the slidable closure member I4 relative to the condiment container I2 in selective dispensing or sealing positions thereon is broadly new in condiment holders of this description. The lower ends of the compartments I8 and 22 may be provided if desired with the detachable plugs 68 and 62 respectively threadedly engaged with the lower ends thereof in attached position within said container.

As also stated hitherto while the preferred embodiment of our invention is preferably constructed of molded material it may if desired be limited to the specific embodiments shown and that vario-us deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A two piece molded condiment holder, comprising a molded container member having a molded vertical partition dividing said container into two condiment compartments, having a channel across the top thereof having dispensing holes therein leading respectively to each compartment spaced from the center and end walls thereof and a central hole in the to-p of said partition an-d countersunk linear channels extending laterally in said casing top from each side of said channel, a molded closure member of substantially the width of said channel slidable in said ch-annel having ribs projecting laterally from each side thereof fitting in said container member countersunk channels and of greater length than said channel and having two spaced perforate dispensing portions, each consisting of a plurality of grouped holes the said dispensing portions spaced from each other such a greater distance apart than said condiment compartment holes that movement of said closure member to bring one perforated dispensing portion over one compartment hole for dispensing purposes will seal the other compartment hole, movement thereof therefrom will seal both holes and ay further movement thereof to bring the other perforate dispensing portion over the other compartment hole for dispensing purposes will seal the first mentioned compartment hole, said closure member also having a stop projecting downwardly from one end thereof and specific condiment indicating insignia on one end thereof, and means to lock said slidable closure member in said selective positions, comprising a spring actuated plunger projecting upwardly from and secured within said central hole in said partition into a central hole formed in the base of said slidable member for sealing both compartments or alternately into holes therein spaced from each side of said hole sufficiently to bring the respective dispensing portions thereof alternately over their respective compartment holes with said closure member sealing the other respective compartment holes.

2. A molded condiment holder, comprising a molded container member having a molded partition dividing said container into two condiment compartments having a channel in the top thereof having dispensing holes therein leading respectively to each compartment spaced from the center and end walls thereof, and countersunk linear channels extending laterally in said Plcasing top from each side of said channel, a

straight molded :closure member of substantially the width of said channel slidable in said channel having ribs projecting laterally from each side thereof fitting in said container member eountersunk channels to bring the top of said closure member substantially flush with the container member top and having two spaced, perforate dispensing portions, each consisting of a plurality of grouped holes spaced from each other such a different distance apart than said condiment compartment holes that movement of said closure member to bring one perforate dispensing portion over one compartment hole for dispensing purposes will seal the other dispensing hole, movement thereof therefrom will seal both holes, and a further movement thereof to bring the other perforate dispensing portion over the other compartment hole for dispensing purposes will seal the rst mentioned dispensing hole and spring actuated means to lock said slidable closure member in said selective positions yieldable on pressure to permit movement of said closure member to and from said positions.

3. A condiment holder, comprising a container member having a partition dividing said container into two condiment compartments having a channel in the top thereof having dispensing holes therein leading respectively to each compartment spaced from the center and end walls thereof anda central hole in the top of said partition and grooves extending laterally in said casing top from each side thereof, a closure member of substantially the width of said channel slidable in said channel having ribs projecting laterally fromeach side thereof fitting in said container member grooves and having two spaced, perforate dispensing portions, each consisting of a plurality of grouped holes spaced from each other such a different distance apart than said condiment compartment channel holes that movement of said closure kmember to bring one perforate dispensing portion over one compartment hole for dispensing purposes will seal the other dispensing hole, movement thereof therefrom will seal both holes and further movement thereof to bring the other perforate clispensing portion over the other compartment hole for dispensing purposes will seal the first mentioned dispensing hole, said closure member also having a stop projecting downwardly from one end thereof, and means to lock said slidable Aclosure member in said selective positions, oomprising a spring actuated plunger projecting upwardly from said central hole in said partition into a central hole formed in the base of said slidable member for sealing both compartments or alternately into holes therein spaced from each side of said holes sulciently to bring the respective dispensing portions thereof alternately over their respective compartment holes with said closure member sealing the other respective compartir-lent holes. l

4. A condiment holder, comprising a container member having a partition dividing said container into two condiment compartments, having a channel in the top thereof having dispensing holes therein leading respectively to each compartment spaced from the center and end walls thereof and grooves extending laterally in said casing top from each side thereof, a closure member of substantially the width of said channel slidable in said channel having ribs projecting laterally from each side thereof fitting in said container member grooves and having two spaced, perforate dispensing portions, each consaid closure member to bring one peri'orate dispensing portion over one compartment hole for dispensing purposes will seal the other dispensing hole, movement; thereof therefrom will Seal both holes, movement thereof therefrom to bring the other perforate dispensing portion over tno other compartment hole for dispensing purposes will seal the first mentioned compartment hole and means to lock said slidable closure member in said selective positions, comprising a spring actuated plunger projecting from one oi' said members into one of a group of selective holes in said other member to alternately lock said slidable member in positions locking both compartments or bringing the respective compartment perforate dispensing portion thereof over its respective compartment hole and sealing the other compartment hole.

5. A molded condiment holder, comprising a molded container member having a molded partition dividing said container into two condiment compartments having a channel in the top thereof having dispensing holes therein leading respectively to each compartment spaced from the center and end walls thereof, and countersunk linear channels extending laterally in said casing top from each side of said channel, and

aoeaoci side and end walls tapering from the base thereof to a top of less area than the base. a straight molded closure member of substantially the width of said channel slidable in said channel having ribs projecting laterally from each side thereof ntting in said container member countersunk channels to bring the top of said closure member substantially flush with the container member top and having two spaced, perforate dispensing portions, each consisting of a plurality of grouped holes, spaced from each other such a diierent distance apart than said condiment compartment holes that movement of said closure member to bring one perforate dispensing portion over one compartment hole for dispensing purposes will seal the other compartment hole, movement thereof therefrom will seal both holes, and a further movement thereof to bring the other perforate dispensing portion over the other compartment hole for dispensing purposes will seal the first mentioned compartment hole and spring actuated means to lock said slidable closure member in said selective positions yieldable on pressure to permit movement of said closure member to and from said positions.

JOSEPH CONRAD ROCH. FREDERIC W. ROBERTS. 

